A tuneful New Year's Eve

The L.I. Philharmonic sets the tone for a night of fun

Posted
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:19 pm

Maestro David Stewart Wiley and the Long Island Philharmonic bid a fond farewell to 2013 at their annual New Year’s Eve celebration. The orchestra, along with guest vocalists, hit all the right notes at the gala concert at Tilles Center.

Courtesy L.I. Philharmonic

By Karen Bloom

The Big Night is upon us, so get those party hats ready to ring in 2014. There are many options close by for some New Year’s celebrating. Here are some suggestions on where and how to ring in another year.

Long Island Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular The Long Island Philharmonic can always be counted to welcome the New Year with gusto at its annual musical extravaganza. Join Maestro David Wiley, music director and conductor, and his orchestra at Tilles Center for a rousing finale to 2013, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert — now in its 22nd year — continues to be a beloved year-end tradition for the orchestra and its many fans. “Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway Celebration,” features the timeless music from the iconic musical theater team. The glittering year-end concert, with the soundtrack of beloved music that highlights some of the best of the Great White Way, is hosted by Wiley and this year’s special guest, Oscar “Andy” Hammerstein III, the grandson of the acclaimed librettist-lyricist. “Our New Year’s Eve concert has become an amazing and successful tradition,” Wiley said. “It’s always great to see everyone come out for this wonderful night. This year is better than ever with a program of the great music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, with an amazingly talented cast and Andy Hammerstein III with us as an added treat. The audience will hear some terrific songs along with stories and background that make the evening even more special.” This year’s program, in two acts, features many of the beloved showstoppers from the songwriting team’s theatrical masterpieces, including “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” and, of course, “The Sound of Music.” The orchestra also performs a medley from “Victory at Sea,” the naval documentary about World War II, for which Richard Rodgers composed the soundtrack (along with Robert Russell Bennett).